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Aside from the three-week long retrograde in January, there’s really something about the holiday season that drains the life out of our souls. Maybe it’s the pressure to turn over a new leaf or maybe we just believed our horoscopes a little bit too much. Either way, January was a bit of a mess for everyone.

With Kween Bey’s #extraartsy pregnancy announcement kicking off February, we can already claim that this month will be more interesting. From the annual Art Fair to new movie releases, Manila is once again alive with events and interesting activities. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we still have this weekend to conquer.

Since people’s weekend plans differ based on their mood, we’ve divided our recommendations to two types: Retrograde Recovery and Hustle & Bustle. From watching Sakaling Di Makarating alone to attending Art Beat Tagaytay 2 with your barkada, we’ve listed down some activities you could check out for the weekend.

Type of activity: Retrograde Recovery

Low-energy activities that’ll help you unwind over the weekend.Pass the popcorn please!

Directed by Ice Idananan and co-written by Petersen Vargas, this movie was first released in CineFilipino 2016. Inspired by Idanan’s personal heartbreak, the story focuses on a girl named Cielo (Alessandra de Rossi) and her self-made quest to answer her life’s questions in different places. Cielo, with the help of painted postcards, brings us to new places in the span of two hours and at the comfort of your cinema seat. The stellar cinematography highlights the splendor and appeal of the quieter life outside Manila. The story — though a bit aimless — reels you back in through the actors’ performances. It’s the perfect film to watch if you want to escape reality for even just a bit.

If you’re tired of Bato but still want to stay #woke, read The First Impulse by Laurel Fantauzzo.

One of my friends said that the book reminded her of our relationship with Manila — how we hated and loved it at the same time. The book tackles all the semblances of geography, time, and history of Manila; it speaks in behalf of the city. It will remind you of a familiar feeling, even if the story is about murder. The First Impulse explores the humanity of our nation through its discussion about the mystery of Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohnic’s murder.

If you’re looking for new conversation-starters, brush up on pop culture with a Netflix subscription.

A good mix of new shows and old movies will be released on Netflix this month. Their lineup includes Santa Clarita Diet, Superbad (2007), and the third season of Chef’s Table. Aside from Riverdale, we can now also get our dose of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S02 on Netflix, thanks to that CW deal. You’ll definitely get a bang for your buck.

Type of activity: Hustle & bustle

High-energy activities for those who can’t stay at home (and those who have enough money to sustain themselves all the time when they go out).

If you’re up for a quick but inspiring getaway,check out Art Beat Tagaytay 2.

Given Art Beat Tagaytay’s successful run last year, round two was bound to happen. A breather from the city life — even if it’s just #Tags — is always a good idea. And with its exhibitors and performance lineup this year, we can already tell that Museo Orlina will be packed with great music, vivid art, and a buzzing crowd throughout the night.

If you want to brush up on your photography skills, take a shot at Create Great Cities competition.

Dust off that camera and finally go on that overdue photowalk you’ve been planning for months. The British Council is calling for entries for the Create Great Cities competition. The Create Great Cities competition aims to raise discussion about contributing to more liveable and inclusive cities here in the country. Contribute to the conversation and get a chance to win two roundtrip tickets to London for free.